Job Description

Natural Resources Canada - Geoscience and Earth Monitoring Sector/Geological Survey of Canada


Quebec (Quebec)


This PhD will start in September 2025 and end in March 2028. Bursary up to $35,700, distributed in 3 equal payments annually.
For further information on the organization, please visit Natural Resources Canada


Geological Survey of Canada
Research Affiliate Program

Closing date: 15 September 2025 - 23:59, Pacific Time

Who can apply:

The selected candidate must meet the requirements and be currently enrolled or willing to enroll in the interuniversity doctoral program in construction engineering at Ecole de technologie superieure, Montreal (QC, Canada).


Proof will be required before the start date.



You are eligible for this program if you meet these 3 requirements:



1. You are a full-time student in a post-secondary institution

3. You are enrolled in an academic program that requires research as part of your curriculum

2. You meet the minimum age required in the province/territory of work



This includes students with physical or emotional disabilities deemed to have full-time status by their academic institution. Adult students registered in education and retraining programs at the secondary level may also be eligible for student employment programs. Learn more about whether you are eligible.

Apply online

Important messages

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We are committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free work environment, starting with the hiring process. If you need to be accommodated during any phase of the evaluation process, please use the Contact information below to request specialized accommodation. All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential.


Assessment accommodation

Duties

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Seismic risk assessment at the urban and regional scale is essential for emergency management and for the long-term planning of mitigation measures in earthquake-prone communities. To bridge the communication gap between risk experts and decision-makers at all levels of government, a web application is being developed. It focuses on seismic contexts and building practices in Canada.



This application follows standard analytical methods for assessing negative impacts and uses a procedure involving three main models:

Hazard model - Determines the spatial distribution of shaking intensity using ground motion prediction equations (GMPEs) applicable to the scenario event. Site amplification factors are applied to adjust shaking intensity to local soil conditions. Inventory model - Accounts for people and buildings in the study area, considering construction materials, structural type, height, seismic design level, occupancy, and replacement cost. Vulnerability model - Based on fragility curves that relate the probability of damage to spectral acceleration, as a measure of ground shaking intensity.


Main objective: Continue the development and updating of the three models that form the foundation of the web application.

Specific objectives: (i) Update, integrate, and program the seismic hazard model for the generation of ShakeMap products using the new GMPEs adopted in the 6th Generation Seismic Hazard Model of Canada, developed by the Geological Survey of Canada (GSC); (ii) Develop improved methods for integrating inventory data for buildings and transportation infrastructure; and (iii) Develop, update, and program the vulnerability model for buildings and bridges.



The selected candidate will enroll in the Ph.D. program in Construction Engineering at the Ecole de technologie superieure (Montreal). With guidance from their supervisors and scientists involved in the project, the candidate will: Publish research findings in GSC public reports and peer-reviewed scientific journals; Present their work at scientific, governmental, or industrial conferences (oral or poster presentations); and Conduct outreach activities to share research outcomes with project partners.

Work environment

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The Geological Survey of Canada (GSC) is part of Natural Resources Canada's Lands and Minerals Sector. It is a national organization for geoscientific information and research. Its world-class expertise focuses on the sustainable development of Canada's mineral, energy and water resources; stewardship of Canada's environment; management of natural geological and related hazards; and technology innovation.

Intent of the process

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We are seeking one Ph.D. student in Construction Engineering at the Ecole de technologie superieure to work on regional-scale seismic risk assessment.

Positions to be filled:

1

Information you must provide

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Your resume.


A covering letter "presenting your motivation for pursuing doctoral studies and this research project on seismic risk assessment, and indicating the research areas in which you have knowledge and/or experience."


Contact information for 2 references.

In order to be considered, your application must clearly explain how you meet the following (essential qualifications)

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Education:

The candidate must currently hold a master's degree in Earth sciences, engineering, or an equivalent qualification from a recognized Canadian or foreign university.
Degree equivalency


Experience:

Experience in seismic data processing.
Experience in programming. Relevant experience in acquiring, organizing, and analyzing data in a Geographic Information System (GIS) environment.


For the purposes of recruiting students into the federal public service, experience may be acquired through studies, work experience, or volunteer activities.

The following will be applied / assessed at a later date (essential for the job)

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English or French


Information on language requirements


Knowledge:

Knowledge of scientific concepts in geology, seismology, and building construction. Knowledge of programming and modeling. Knowledge of structural dynamics and earthquake engineering.
Abilities:

Ability to work in a research laboratory. Ability to work alone and in a team. Ability to communicate effectively within the team and with industrial, academic and governmental partners. Ability to communicate results effectively with the public.
Personal suitabilities:

Motivation and dynamism Autonomy and proactivity Integrity and professionalism

The following may be applied / assessed at a later date (may be needed for the job)

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Selection may be limited to members of the following Employment Equity groups: Aboriginal persons, persons with disabilities, visible minorities, women


Information on employment equity

Conditions of employment

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Reliability Status security clearance - Each student hired through the Research Affiliate Program (RAP) must meet the security requirements of the position as a condition of employment. Therefore, the student will be asked by the hiring organization to complete security-related documents.

The student must be accepted into the doctoral program in construction engineering at Ecole de technologie superieure in Montreal, Quebec (QC), Canada, and enrolled for the Fall 2025 term. The student must be ready to do regular laboratory work and fieldwork in remote areas as requested by the project supervisors. In addition to the doctoral program courses, the student must take a mandatory course in health and safety in remote regions before carrying out field work.

Other information

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The Public Service of Canada is committed to building a skilled and diverse workforce that reflects the Canadians we serve. We promote employment equity and encourage you to indicate if you belong to one of the designated groups when you apply.


Information on employment equity


We thank all applicants for their interest in our position(s). For the purpose of this staffing process, only candidates selected for further assessment will be contacted.



Successful completion of both a RAP work assignment and your educational program may lead to a temporary or permanent federal public service position for which you meet the merit criteria and conditions of employment.



For this selection process, it is our intention to communicate with candidates via email. Candidates must include a valid email address in their application. It is the candidate's responsibility to ensure that this address is functional and that it accepts messages from unknown users (some email systems block these types of email).



A written examination may be administered.



An interview may be administered.



Reference may be sought.



You must provide proof of your education credentials and transcript.



Candidates with foreign credentials must provide proof of Canadian equivalency. Consult the Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials for further information at http://www.cicic.ca/.



Persons are entitled to participate in the appointment process in the official language of their choice.



You must indicate on your application if you require a technical aid for testing or an alternative method of assessment.



Candidates from outside the public service may be required to pay for travel and relocation costs associated with this selection process.

Preference

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Preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents, with the exception of a job located in Nunavut, where Nunavut Inuit will be appointed first.

We thank all those who apply. Only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.